Wined and Dined

   Fall break was a relaxing and fun-filled long weekend full of TCU football, family reunion and date nights with the best of the best. I was surprised by the best boyfriend in the world on a date night to Mercury Chophouse in downtown Fort Worth. It is so special to get all dressed up and enjoy an evening with great wine, great food and great company.

   Mercury Chophouse is located in the heart of Sundance Square and offers some of the finest food in Fort Worth. We started off with a sampler appetizer that included crab cakes, scallops and calamari. Having never been privy to scallops, my whole perspective was transformed after trying the perfectly seared appetizer. We then enjoyed dinner which consisted of the most exquisite and mouthwatering filet mignon and swordfish. The Mercury Chophouse truly owns up to their reputation by offering world-class food and flawless service.

   While pampering ourselves by indulging in a bottle of sauvignon blanc, Brandon and I had the most incredible 2 hours. A much anticipated and needed date allowed us to forget our busy schedules for the night and enjoy each other. Brandon and I have been together nearly a year and a half, being some of the most memorable and happy months I can remember. There are still so many experiences that we have yet to take advantage of with each other and I look forward to many more adventures with him.

   In terms of food delicacies, discovering the Chophouse was a great find. It is truly one of the best restaurants we have ever been to. I recommend this venue for anyone who is looking for a high class and unique restaurant experience. It also offers the perfect location to continue your evening and explore the thriving Sundance Square night life.

"Life is a journey, not a destination."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Embracing Family and Change

   Having my family here for TCU’s family weekend was an unforgettable experience. TCU put on a hefty variety of festivities which truly made the weekend exciting for all ages and was an ideal portrayal of the college TCU spirit. Coming to TCU from Colorado served as an obstacle throughout my college years during Family Weekend due to my siblings varied activities and conflicting obligations. However, I was fortunate enough this year to have my two brothers and my parents all fly down for the memorable weekend.

   We started off the weekend right with the Schieffer School of Journalism Family Weekend Kickoff Party. I was thrilled that I could introduce my family, principally my mother and father, to a number of my teachers and friends. It is one thing to communicate my class activities across a phone, but it was much more influential to share my education and knowledge gained in person. I have enjoyed the past three years in the Strategic Communication major and find myself enjoying my classes the more demanding and specialized they become. I was also able to share a new perspective of two of my professors, Professor Levering and Professor Johnson, with my parents that I had yet to acquire. Seeing Levering and Johnson perform in a band showed me a little bit more about their unique character and hidden talents. They were an amazing band and I was taken back by the musical skill and lyrical expressions they possessed. The music set the tone for the evening and allowed my parents to see what an amazing group of professors the Schieffer Journalism school has to offer. I feel that the education I have gained so far has been so effective and inspiring. 

   Morning mimosas and family adorned with TCU paraphernalia started off game day versus Virginia. Although it was an early morning, the frog fan spirit and excitement was bubbling in frog alley with the marching band entertaining the crowd. It was my parents first experience going to a college football game and they soaked up each and every minute. We stayed the entire game to ultimately see TCU dominate Virginia. 

   You never know how much family bond means until reunion incurs after a timely absence. I missed my family so much and united by happiness we lived each moment to its fullest. I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend with my family at TCU. They have seen me grow so much during high school and college, and now to have them with me while being presented my TCU class ring, I am beyond overjoyed. The real world is right around the corner, and I am confident and optimistic that the future bears many incredible opportunities and adventures for me. Family by my side, I intend to explore each venture that arises, confident that I have a strong base to fall back on.

“Lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at you.” 

David Brinkley

Blake Shelton Giving Voice to a New Year

   Thousands of Blake Shelton TCU fans flooded the Dee J. Kelly Alumni Center lawn to watch the country music superstar perform. It was an incredible experience in a breathtaking setting with the newly renovated 163 million dollar Amon G. Carter stadium in the backdrop.

   Having Blake Shelton perform at TCU really amped up the horned frog spirit, foreshadowing the eventful and unforgettable events yet to come in the 2012-2013 school year. For me this concert topped the previous three years, making my senior year just that much more memorable. This experience will resonate with all who attended Shelton’s incredible concert Thursday night.

    It was an eventful week post concert with numerous festivities surrounding the first TCU home football game versus Grambling State on Saturday, September 8. A full day of barbecues, tailgating, and game time ensued. One of the most exciting moments was when the game football was flown in by the TCU Rocketman. The unexpected entrance was followed by a killer game. TCU absolutely demolished Grambling State, concluding the game with a nearly perfect score of 56-0. It was a great start to the football season leaving the student body and TCU fans with high hopes for the success of the horned frogs.

    A number of fans stayed after the game to watch TCU present Gary Patterson with an award for being the coach with the most wins in TCU’s history. Afterwards, a beautiful fireworks show erupted over the stadium. It was a bittersweet moment when seniors realized that this was the last first yearly concert and last first TCU football game in our college years. I am grateful for the events that have made the beginning of senior year so priceless. Let’s go out with a bang TCU, let’s do it right! GO FROGS!

"LEFT SIDE! STRONG SIDE!"

-Remember the Titans-